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Man guilty of Biddenden widower burglary-murder Man guilty of Biddenden widower burglary-murder
(about 1 hour later)
A man has been found guilty of murdering a widower who was beaten to death following a burglary at his home. A man has been found guilty of murdering a widower who was beaten to death in a burglary at his home.
Roy Blackman, 73, was found with multiple blunt-force injuries in Biddenden, Kent, on 21 March.Roy Blackman, 73, was found with multiple blunt-force injuries in Biddenden, Kent, on 21 March.
Mark Love was also convicted of aggravated burglary at the Sussex home of champion clay pigeon shooter George Digweed. Mark Love was also convicted of aggravated burglary at the East Sussex home of champion clay pigeon shooter George Digweed.
The 37-year-old of Frittenden Road, Staplehurst, will be sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court later. The 37-year-old, of Frittenden Road, Staplehurst, will be sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court later.
Kent Police said "a trail of devastation" had been left inside Mr Blackman's home on Headcorn Road. Mr Blackman was found lifeless on the floor of his home in Headcorn Road and a safe containing up to £250,000 in cash, firearms and jewellery, had been stolen.
In a tribute, his family described him as a man who lived a simple life and who had desperately missed his wife after her death six years ago. The court heard Love was seen at Ashford Designer Outlet retail park, the day after the murder, spending hundreds of pounds on new clothes and asked staff to dispose of his old ones.
He was with William Smith, who became a suspect in the murder inquiry, and was shot dead by police during a raid on 1 May while he was on bail.
Love was charged with murder after his DNA was found on a bathroom tap in Mr Blackman's home.
Mr Blackman's family said: "The horror of what Mark Love and others did to our dad that night, together with the ransacking of his house, will haunt us forever and is truly unforgivable.
"Justice has been served today but it will not bring him back."
Det Insp Lee Whitehead said police believed the offenders intended to burgle the house but were confronted by Mr Blackman.
"In relation to the attack in Northiam, I hope this conviction will go some way in allowing the victims to move on with their lives."
Mr Digweed - who has 26 clay pigeon shooting world titles and was honoured with an MBE in 2009 - was badly beaten by intruders at his home in Ewhurst Lane, Northiam, on 21 February.Mr Digweed - who has 26 clay pigeon shooting world titles and was honoured with an MBE in 2009 - was badly beaten by intruders at his home in Ewhurst Lane, Northiam, on 21 February.
His wife was unhurt, but the couple were both tied up.
Cash, guns, trophies, medals and Mr Digweed's 4x4 car were stolen in the raid.Cash, guns, trophies, medals and Mr Digweed's 4x4 car were stolen in the raid.